Touching Lives - March 2011

Cycling to remember my baby girl

Two friends are cycling from Canada to Mexico to raise money for a tribute fund. Lee Collier and Jay Hookins will pedal 1,900 miles from Blaine on the Canadian border down the Pacific coast of America to the Mexican border. They aim to complete the route in just 14 days in August.

This would be quite a feat for any cyclist but Lee didn’t even own a bike until he decided to do this extreme challenge. Lee has taken part in many events for Action Medical Research and set up a tribute fund to remember his daughter, Phoebe-Lee.

“In 2005, my partner, Karen, and I experienced something that I wouldn’t wish upon anybody: we lost our baby girl

as she was born too early,” said Lee.

“Since our terrible experience, we have got involved with Action Medical Research. We miss our little girl, and are still affected daily by the tragedy, so being involved with Action has helped us through some really hard times.

“I wanted to organise a real challenge in memory of our daughter. This cycle ride is not meant to be easy. People like me and Karen are going through heartache and tragedies every day, and we want this cycle ride, in some small way, to reflect that.”

Lee and Karen are organising a number of events leading up to the ride to help reach their fundraising goal. Every penny raised will go towards Action Medical Research.

An Action Medical Research tribute fund is a lasting way to honour a loved one. By supporting our vital work in their name, you can create a positive focus for family and friends to remember someone special.

You can create an online tribute fund with a dedicated memorial page, which you can personalise by adding photos, leaving messages of support as well as donations.

The funds are adaptable and can be used to give one-off gifts on special occasions and regular donations. You can also collect sponsorship for a challenge event in their memory. All donations and dedications are visible on your page forming an eternal tribute to your loved one.